Case for handheld devices with one or more integral tools

ABSTRACT

An apparatus comprises a case and additional protective materials within the case for handheld devices. The additional protective materials are metals, plastics, and/or composites. The additional protective materials may be molded into a single case to form a second layer of protection on one side of the device&#39;s case. Part of the protective housing is an internal rigid tool that, when exposed, is able to be used for opening a bottle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Benefit Claim

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application61/266,943, filed Dec. 4, 2009, the entire contents of which is herebyincorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, under 35 U.S.C.§119(e).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a case for a handheld device, and moreparticularly to a case that includes a tool or an appendage thatprovides an additional benefit that is different than protecting thehandheld device.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

With the advancement of technology in the fields of electronics andcomputers, more powerful features and elements have been integrated intohandheld electronic devices. However, the integration of theseinnovations into handheld devices has amounted to the production of veryexpensive and delicate devices. Accessories, in the form of cases, havebeen produced to keep the handheld devices safe from unexpectedincidents due to mishandling, but existing cases only provide the singlefunction of providing physical protection from unintentional mishaps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a posterior view of a case that includes a tool, where a partof the tool is exposed from an internal layer in the case;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a case that includes an enclosure intowhich a tool is inserted;

FIG. 3 is a posterior view of a case that includes a tool in an enclosedposition;

FIG. 4 is a posterior view of a case that includes an enclosure intowhich a tool is inserted;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a case that includes an enclosure into which atool is inserted;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the face of a handheld device that ispartially-surrounded by a case, to which a tool is secured;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a case with a thumb for exposing andenclosing a tool;

FIG. 8A, FIGS. 8B1-5, FIGS. 8C1-3, FIGS. 8D1-3, FIGS. 8E1-3, FIGS. 8F1-2are views of different components of an example case.

FIG. 9A-B, FIG. 10A-B, FIG. 11A-B are views of different examples ofcases.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerousspecific details are set forth in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however,that the present invention may be practiced without these specificdetails. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shownin block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention.

I. General Overview

A case for handheld devices is described where the case comprises arigid shell and a rigid tool in the rigid shell. Examples of handhelddevices with which such a case may be used include cell phones, smartphones, handheld computers, GPS devices, and digital media players.

The rigid tool may serve one or more purposes. In an embodiment, thetool is a bottle opener. In other embodiments, the tool may be a knife,a nail file, or a wine bottle opener, which is shaped differently than atypical bottle opener. Embodiments may use any kind of tool that may beformed in a generally planar piece of rigid material that may move bysliding into and out of the case, or that may rotate from the case, orthat may extend from a rear surface of the case.

In this description, the term “case” may refer to only the rigid shellor to both the rigid shell and the tool.

In an embodiment, not only does the case serve as a means to attach atool to a handheld device, the case serves as a means to provideprotection to at least a portion of the handheld device.

The tool may be attached or mounted to the case in numerous ways. Forexample, the tool may be secured to the outside of the case, in whichcase the tool is continuously exposed, whether or not the tool is in aposition for use.

In an alternative embodiment, the case includes an enclosure into whichthe tool may be inserted and encased. When the tool is fully encasedinto the enclosure, the tool is not exposed, fully or partially. Whenthe tool is fully extended from the enclosure in a position at which thetool may be used, an end of the tool is fully exposed. The enclosure maybe molded into the case or may itself be a separate piece that isattached or secured to the case.

In a related embodiment, the case is designed to store or house one ormore items, whether rigid or not. Thus, the case comprises a storagespace that may be used to store or house another object, such as creditcards, cash, ear buds, a golf green repair tool, a radar detector,electronics for satellite communications, a laser pointer, a Wii motioncontroller, a Swiss army knife, a USB drive, or a flash light. Thestorage space may be adapted to one or more of these or other items.Alternatively, the storage space may not be adapted to any item, but maybe generic enough to allow multiple types of items to be stored in thestorage space.

In an embodiment, the case is adapted to store a USB (or UniversalSerial Bus) drive that, when attached to the case, is also connected toa USB dock of the handheld device in order to transfer data directly tothe handheld device. In this way, the case allows for added memorystorage for the handheld device.

In an embodiment, the case is adapted to allow one of a removable creditcard swipe, a removable battery, or a removable solar panel to beattached to the case. When attached to the case, the removable batteryor removable solar panel is connected to the handheld device and, whenconnected, is able to charge a battery of the handheld device.

In an embodiment, a case includes an electronic chip that is associatedwith a user's account. The case is designed to allow the electronic chipto interface with a handheld device that is secured to the case. Whensecured to the case, the handheld device operates as if the handhelddevice belongs to the user associated with the user account. Forexample, a cell phone is inserted into a particular case that includesan electronic chip. The electronic chip is associated with an account ofa particular user. The particular user may operate the cell phone as ifthe cell phone belonged to the particular user. Thus, any data and/orvoice usage of the cell phone while the cell phone is secured in thecase is accounted for in the particular user's cell account. If a second(i.e., different) cell phone is inserted into the particular case, thenany data and/or voice usage of the second cell phone while the secondcell phone is secured in the case is also accounted for in theparticular user's cell account.

II. Views of a Case

FIG. 1 is a posterior view of a case 110 that includes a tool. In anembodiment, the tool comprises a bottle opener 120. In this view, theopening end of the bottle opener 120 is exposed from an enclosure 130 orrecess that is part of the case 110. Any display or screen of thehandheld device is exposed on an opposite side of the case 110 that isdepicted in FIG. 1.

In an embodiment, case 110 includes a thumb 140 that is used to slidablyextend or move the bottle opener 120 to an extended position. From theextended position, the bottle opener 120 can be used to remove a bottlecap. The thumb 140 is also used to slide the bottle opener 120 back intothe enclosure 130 to an enclosed or initial position. In an embodimentwhere the case 110 does not include an enclosure, the initial positionof the bottle opener 120 is a position in which the bottle opener 120cannot be used to remove a bottle cap.

FIG. 2 is a top-side view of the case 110. This view includes adifferent view of enclosure 130 and thumb 140. Specifically, FIG. 2depicts, as part of the enclosure 130, an opening from which the bottleopener 120 extends. FIG. 2 also depicts a line that indicates how across section of the enclosure 130 is depicted in FIG. 3. As depicted inFIG. 2, the enclosure 130 may be designed to take up minimal spacerelative to the rest of the case 110.

FIG. 3 is a posterior view of the case 110 that includes the bottleopener 120 in an enclosed or initial position. This posterior viewdepicts the bottle opener 120 and parts of the enclosure 130 with halfthe enclosure 130 removed. FIG. 3 also depicts holes 310, 320 of aspring and a ball bearing locking mechanism that is used to lock thebottle opener 120 in an enclosed position in order to keep from exitingthe enclosure 130 unintentionally. FIG. 3 also depicts a cross sectionof the housing 330 and a sidewall 340 of the enclosure 130. The housing330 includes a gap 350 that allows for movement of the thumb 140.

FIG. 4 is a posterior view of the case 110 and the enclosure 130. FIG. 4is similar to FIG. 1 except that the bottle opener is in an enclosed orinitial position. In the position of FIG. 4, no part of the bottleopener extends beyond the opening of the enclosure 130. The position ofthe thumb 140 in FIG. 4 indicates an enclosed position, whereas theposition of thumb 140 in FIG. 1 indicates an extended position.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the case 110 and the enclosure 130. A face ofthe handheld device may be viewed at an anterior view of the case 110.Similar to FIG. 2, FIG. 5 depicts the minimal space (relative to theremainder of the case 110) that is occupied by the enclosure 130.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the face of a handheld device 600 thatis partially-surrounded by a case 610, to which a bottle opener 620 issecured. In this figure, the bottle opener 620 is in an extendedposition, in which the bottle opener 620 may be used to open a bottle.

The face of the handheld device 600 might include a visual display, oneor more physical buttons to operate the handheld device 600, and aspeaker for audio output. The case 610 may comprise one or more openingsto allow different parts of the handheld device 600 to be exposed. Forexample, one of the openings allows volume controls of the handhelddevice 600 to be exposed to a user. Another opening might allow amicrophone to be exposed. Another opening might allow a cord to beplugged into the handheld device 600 in order to charge a battery of thehandheld device 600.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective view of the case 610 with an enclosure 730and a thumb 740. The thumb 740 is for moving the bottle opener 620 to anextended position and to an enclosed position. In FIG. 7, the bottleopener 620 is in an enclosed position in which only a small portion ofthe bottle opener 620 is exposed to view.

III. Composition of the Case

Embodiments may use any particular material for the case. For example,the case may be molded from any plastic, metal, carbon fiber, orcomposite materials, and may comprise wood, pressed or laminated papers,resins, or other materials.

In an embodiment where the case includes an enclosure, the enclosure isa separate unit from the case and is attached to the case. In thisembodiment, the enclosure may comprise any of the materials identifiedabove and is large enough to store one or more items. The enclosure maybe attached or secured to the case using any mechanism, such asscrew(s), bolt(s), and/or adhesive, resin, mechanical frictionalelements such as tabs and slots, or other means. In this embodiment,when the enclosure is detached from the case, any item that is storedwithin the enclosure can also be moved independent of the case.

In an alternative embodiment, the case and the enclosure are a singleunit comprising any of the materials identified above. In other words,the enclosure is not affixed to or attached to the case, but is ratheran integral component of the case.

The material(s) from which the enclosure is made may provide additionalprotection to a portion of the handheld device.

IV. Operating the Bottle Opener

In an embodiment, the bottle opener slides out of the enclosure inresponse to movement of a button that allows the bottle opener to moveor slide relatively freely.

In an embodiment, the bottle opener is entirely removable from the case.In other words, the bottle opener may be detached from the case andoperated independent of the case. The case may be designed such that thebottle opener is easily attachable to and detachable from the case.

In an embodiment, the case includes a locking mechanism that secures thebottle opener in the initial position and, optionally, in the extendedposition. The locking mechanism may comprise a spring. The spring may bedisposed within a recess of the case or the enclosure 130. The springmay be contiguous with an end portion of the bottle opener that isopposite of the end of the bottle opener that removes a cap. The springmay be contiguous with an inner surface of the recess. In this example,when the bottle opener is in the initial position, the spring iscompressed between the bottle opener and the inner surface. Also in thisexample, the case may include a button that is operable to release thelocking mechanism and allow the spring to decompress to cause the bottleopener to move to the extended position.

In an embodiment, the bottle opener is friction fit in the case. Inother words, the mechanism that is used to keep the bottle opener fromsliding out to an extended position unintentionally is the frictionbetween the bottle opener and the enclosure in which the bottle openerrests. In this way, manual push/pull operation of a thumb attached tothe bottle opener or manual push/pull operation of the bottle openercauses moving the bottle opener to an extended position and/or to aninitial position.

In a related embodiment, the bottle opener is constrained by a springand ball bearing to hold the bottle opener in an initial position insidean enclosure. In this embodiment, the spring and ball bearing may alsokeep the bottle opener in an extended position when used to open abottle.

Some embodiments described thus far are structured for the bottle openersliding out from an enclosure to an extended position. In a relatedembodiment, the bottle opener swings out by rotating on point near theopposite side of the functional end of the bottle opener. This rotationmotion is about the vertical axis that is perpendicular to one of thetwo main sides of the handheld device. The resulting or extendedposition of the bottle opener may be where the bottle opener isperpendicular to the length of the handheld device, in which case thebottle opening end is 90° from its initial position. Alternatively, theextended position of the bottle opener may be where the bottle opener isparallel to the length of the handheld device, in which case the bottleopening end is 180° from its initial position.

In a related embodiment, the functional end of the bottle opener “flipsup,” i.e., moves about the lateral axis (which runs parallel to the topand bottom sides of the handheld device).

V. Additional Features

In an embodiment, the case includes one or more electronic componentsthat play recorded sounds that are activated by certain actions. Suchactions may include sliding the bottle opener out to an extendedposition, opening a bottle using the bottle opener, and returning thebottle opener to its initial position.

In a related embodiment, the handheld device that is encompassed, atleast partially, by the case executes a software application thatdetects a specific motion of the handheld device, where the specificmotion is indicative of opening a bottle cap. The specific motion may bedetermined from detecting a starting position of the handheld device(e.g., in 3-dimensional space), an ending position of the handhelddevice, and, optionally, an amount of time that elapsed from thestarting position to the ending position. The software application mayread values from an accelerometer in the handheld device to accomplishdetecting positions. For example, the yaw, pitch, and roll of thehandheld device during a specific motion are measured to determinewhether that specific motion indicates the opening of a bottle. Inresponse to the software application detecting that the handheld devicemoved in that specific motion (or range of motion), the softwareapplication causes a particular sound to play. For example, the playedsound may be the opening of a bottle, the cheer of a crowd, or aparticular ringtone. Additionally or alternatively to causing aparticular sound to play, the software application may cause thehandheld device to display digital video, one or more digital images, orone or more icons.

Prior to the software application detecting the motion, the softwareapplication may allow a user to select the song or video to play and/orthe image to display when the handheld device is moved in the specificmotion described herein.

In an embodiment, a case is designed to allow a metal tool (e.g., ametal blade designed to function as a bottle opener) to be inserted intothe case and allow the metal tool to make a physical or electronicconnection between a phone (i.e., the handheld device in the case) andthe metal tool. In this way, antenna performance may be improved due tothe “extra” metal (i.e., of the metal tool) that may be used to receivea cell signal.

VI. Specific Embodiment

FIG. 8A, FIGS. 8B1-5, FIGS. 8C1-3, FIGS. 8D1-3, FIGS. 8E1-3, and FIGS.8F1-2 illustrate a specific embodiment where the case is configured toprovide protection to a handheld device and allow a tool to extend fromthe case and retract back into the case.

A. Main Components

FIG. 8A depicts perspective views of a case. In an embodiment, a casecomprises a top cover 810, a bottom cover 820, a knob 830, a blade 840,and an inner cover 850. The top cover 810 attaches to the bottom cover820 to provide, to a handheld device, protection from forces resultingfrom dropping the case or striking the outside of the case. The knob 830may be used to move the blade 840 to an extended position and back to aninitial position. The inner cover 850 is used to provide, to thehandheld device, protection from the blade 840 when the blade 840 isused to remove a bottle cap.

FIG. 8A also depicts a longitudinal axis, lateral axis, and verticalaxis. The axes 802, 804, 806 are referenced herein to describe howdifferent components of the case align with each other and the handhelddevice and how the different components move along an axis or rotateabout an axis. The longitudinal axis 802 is parallel to a length of thecase and the lateral axis 804 is parallel to a width of the case. Forexample, while the blade 840 moves along the longitudinal axis, certaincomponents of the case prevent the blade from moving along any of theother axes and rotating about any of the axes.

B. Top Cover

FIG. 8B1-5 depict different views of the top cover 810. In anembodiment, top cover 810 includes an enclosure opening 812 from wherethe blade 840 extends and retracts. In an embodiment, the top cover 810also includes a knob opening 814 that allows the thumb portion 850 ofthe knob 830 to be exposed to a user of the handheld device to enablethe user to move the knob 830 along the longitudinal axis 802, whichcauses the blade 840 to also move along the longitudinal axis 802.

Other openings 816A, 816B, 816C, 816D in the top cover 810 accommodateother functions of the handheld device. For example, opening 816A allowsa camera lens of handheld device to be exposed. Therefore, differentcases may have different openings depending on the functions of thehandheld devices.

The inside of the top cover 810 includes knob tracks 818 (depicted inFIGS. 8B1-3) where a portion (838) of the knob 830 rests. The knobtracks 818 ensure that the knob 830 can move along the longitudinal axis802, but not along the lateral axis 804. Because the blade 840 fitsaround a portion 838 of the knob 830, the knob tracks 818 also ensurethat the blade 840 does not move along the lateral axis 804.

The top cover 810 also includes grooves 819A-B (depicted in FIGS. 8B2-3)on two sides of the top cover 810. The groves 819A-B allow two edges ofthe inner cover 850 (described in more detail herein) to slide into thetop cover 810 in order to prevent the inner cover 850 from moving alongthe lateral axis 804 and from moving along the vertical axis 806.

C. Bottom Cover

FIGS. 8C1-3 depict different views of the bottom cover 820. The bottomcover 820 fits securely with the top cover 810 to protect the handhelddevice from outside forces.

In an embodiment, the bottom cover 820 includes an opening 822 toaccommodate one or more functions of the handheld device. The bottomcover 820 also includes grooves 824A-B that allow the blade 840 to be inthe initial or original position without the corners of the non-openingend 844 blade 840 coming into contact with the bottom cover 820. Thegrooves 824A-B may also be designed to prevent the blade 840 from movingalong the lateral axis 804.

D. Blade

FIGS. 8D1-3 depicts an embodiment of blade 840. As indicated above, theblade 840 may comprise any material that may be used to remove a bottlecap. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8D1-3, the blade 840 is 304 gradestainless steel. Other embodiments may use other materials andthicknesses.

Also, as indicated in FIG. 8D2, the dimensions of the blade 840 includethe following: 14 gauge thickness (which is between 0.067 and 0.075inches), 2.95 inches long (i.e., along the longitudinal axis 802), and1.378 inches wide (i.e., along the lateral axis 804).

The blade 840 comprises an opening end 842 and a non-opening end 844.The opening end 842 comprises an opening that is configured to lift andto remove most bottle caps. The top edge of the opening and portions ofthe left and right edges of the opening are generally straight. Thecorners where the left edge meets the top edge and the right edge meetsthe top edge are rounded. The other portions of the left and right edgesof the opening are generally straight and angled inward. The mainportion of the bottom edge of the opening is generally straight andprotrudes towards the center of the opening, causing the shape of theopening to be non-convex.

The blade 840 also comprises a knob fitting region 846 that is shaped toallow multiple sides of a portion (854) of the knob 830 to be surroundedby the blade 840. Thus, movement of the knob 830 along the longitudinalaxis 802 also causes the blade 840 to move along the longitudinal axis802.

E. Knob

FIG. 8E1-3 depict different views of the knob 830. The knob 830comprises a thumb portion 832, a neck portion 834, and a blade portion836. The thumb portion 832 is exposed to a user of the handheld deviceand is visible from a view of the outside of the case. The neck portion834 connects the thumb portion 832 to the blade portion 836.

The blade portion 836 includes a ridge 838 that fits between the knobtracks 818 of the top cover 810. When the ridge 838 is between the knobtracks 818, the knob 830 is unable to move along the lateral axis.

The blade portion 836 also includes a notch 839 (or hole), which is onthe opposite side of the blade portion that includes the ridge 838. Anappropriately-sized detent in the inner cover 850 (described in moredetail below) may rest in the notch 839. In this state, the knob 830cannot move without a certain amount of effort. Thus, in this state, theblade 840, which is fitted to the knob 830, does not moveunintentionally without a certain amount of force.

In an alternative embodiment, the blade 840 includes a notch into whichan appropriately-sized detent in the inner cover 850 may rest.

F. Inner Cover

FIG. 8F1-2 depict different views of an embodiment of the inner cover850. The inner cover 850 is configured to protect the handheld devicefrom the blade 840 when the blade 840 is used to remove a bottle cap.When the blade 840 is used to remove a bottle cap, a significant amountof force may be exerted by the non-opening end 842 against the handhelddevice. With great enough magnitude, this force has the potential todamage sensitive parts of the handheld device or to compress, dent orpuncture the device. Without a layer between the blade 840 and thehandheld device, then the handheld device would be subject to the directand full force of the non-opening end 844 that is generated when openinga bottle cap. In an embodiment, inner cover 850 is between the handhelddevice and the blade 840.

Also, placement of the inner cover 850 on the blade 840 (on the side ofthe blade 840 opposite of the top cover 810) prevents the blade 840 frommoving along the vertical axis 806.

The inner cover 850 may be any shape. However, in this embodiment, thesides of the inner cover 850 are slightly curved away from the blade840. In this way, when the blade 840 is used to remove a bottle cap,some of the force exerted by the non-opening end 844 on the blade sideof the inner cover 850 is distributed to the sides of the inner cover850. Two edges of the inner cover 850 are designed to come into contactwith two rounded sides of the top cover 810 along where the grooves819A, 819B are located. In this configuration, some of the force isdistributed to sides of the top cover 810.

The inner cover 850 includes springs 852A-B that are able to move alongthe vertical axis 806. The blade 840 may be in constant contact with theribs 854A-B, which are part of the springs 852A-B. The springs 852A-Bare an integral part of the inner cover 850 and are each connected tothe inner cover 850 at one edge. In an embodiment, the springs 852A-Bhelp keep the blade 840 from moving along the vertical axis 806. Also,the springs 852A-B allow the thickness of the blade 840 to vary slightlyso that, regardless of the thickness of the blade 840 (within a certainrange), the blade 840 is urged into constant contact with the springs852A-B. This contact allows friction to be an element that prevents theblade 840 from moving too easily from the initial position to anextended position or the converse.

The inner cover 850 also includes a front detent 856 and a rear detent858. As indicated above, the blade portion 836 of the knob 830 includesthe notch 839. The front detent 856 is at a location on the inner cover850 such that, when the blade 840 (and thus the knob 830) is in theextended position, the front detent 856 is aligned and fits tightly withthe notch 839. When the front detent 856 is aligned with the notch 839,the blade 840 does not easily slide back into the enclosure. Thus, thefront detent 856 may prevent the blade 840 from unintentionally movingback into the enclosure during use.

The front detent 856 is part of a portion 860 of material that isconnected to the inner cover 850 at two edges 862A-B. The gaps 864A-Bbetween the portion 860 and the inner cover 850 allow the front detent856 to flex about the two edges 862A-B. Without the gaps 864A-B, thefront detent 856 would not adjust easily and it would be difficult for auser to the move the blade 840 (when the front detent 856 and notch 839are aligned) back into the initial or enclosed position.

The rear detent 858 functions similar to the front detent 856. The reardetent 858 is at a location on the inner cover 850 such that, when theblade 840 (and, thus, the knob 830) is in the initial or enclosedposition, the rear detent 858 is aligned with the notch 839. When therear detent 858 is aligned with the notch 839, the blade 840 does noteasily slide out of the enclosure. Thus, a purpose of the rear detent858 is to prevent the blade 840 from unintentionally moving out of theenclosure.

VII. Additional Cases Adapted to Secure a Bottle Opener

FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B, FIG. 11A, and FIG. 11B are viewsof different examples of cases that are adapted to secure a bottleopener. FIGS. 9A and 9B depict a case 900 with a built-in enclosure fromwhich a blade 910 extends (as in FIG. 9A) and retracts (as in FIG. 9B).Case 900 also includes a knob 920 on the back side of the case 900,instead of on a side of the case 900.

FIGS. 10A and 10B depict a case 1000 with a blade 1010 that fits into arecess 1020 of one side of the case 1000. The dimensions of the recess1020 are such that the recess 1020 allows the blade 1010 with similardimensions to fit tightly in the recess 1020. Once the blade 1010 isattached or secured to the case 1000 (as in FIG. 10A), the blade 1010does not detach from the case 1000 without an amount of force pulling onthe opening end 1012 of the blade 1010 or an amount of force pushing ona recess 1014 in the blade 1010. Thus, the blade 1010 is designed to beused as a bottle opener when it is removed or detached from the case1000.

FIGS. 11A and 11B depict a case 1100 with an enclosure that is formed bytwo folds 1110A-B of the case 1100 extending from two opposing sides ofthe case 1100. The enclosure is sized and adapted to securely fit ablade 1120. Thus, like blade 1010, the blade 1120 is designed to be usedas a bottle opener when it is removed or detached from the case 1100.Alternatively, other items may fit securely in the enclosure that isformed by the two folds 1110A-B.

In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the invention have beendescribed with reference to numerous specific details that may vary fromimplementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are,accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictivesense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the invention,and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the invention,is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue fromthis application, in the specific form in which such claims issue,including any subsequent correction.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a rigid shell to contain a mobile phone that has a front side and a back side; a rigid tool that is slidably mounted within the rigid shell; means for sliding the rigid tool out of the rigid shell from an initial position to an extended position; wherein the front side of the mobile phone is exposed when the rigid tool is in the initial position and the extended position; wherein the rigid tool has a first end portion configured as a bottle opener when the rigid tool has been slid out of the rigid shell; electronic components disposed within the rigid shell and configured to play recorded sound responsive (a) to moving the rigid layer between the initial position and the extended position or (b) to opening a bottle with the first end portion.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for sliding comprises a tab formed in the rigid tool and that protrudes through an opening in the rigid shell and is operable to move the rigid tool between the initial position and the extended position.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid tool is secured within a recess of the rigid shell by a spring and ball bearing.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid tool is secured in the initial position and the extended position by a locking mechanism disposed within the rigid shell.
 5. An apparatus comprising: a rigid shell to contain a mobile phone that has a front side and a back side; a rigid tool that is slidably mounted within the rigid shell; means for sliding the rigid tool out of the rigid shell from an initial position to an extended position; wherein the rigid tool has a first end portion configured as a bottle opener when the rigid tool has been slid out of the rigid shell; wherein the rigid tool is secured by a spring that is in a recess of the rigid shell, is contiguous with a second end portion of the rigid tool and an inner surface of the recess, and is compressed between the rigid tool and the inner surface when the rigid tool is in the initial position, the apparatus further comprising a button operable to allow the spring to decompress to cause the rigid tool to move to the extended position.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid shell and the rigid tool are a single unit.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid shell is made of at least one of plastic, metal, carbon fiber, composite material, or a combination thereof.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rigid tool is an integral molded-in component of the rigid shell.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a rigid shell that is adapted to contain a mobile phone; a rigid tool that is attached to the rigid shell and that has a first end portion that is adapted to function as a bottle opener; a knob, wherein the rigid tool comprises a region that is adapted to fit around a portion of the knob such that movement of the knob causes the rigid tool to move in unison with the knob.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the rigid tool is moveable between a first position and a second position; the first end portion is operable as a bottle opener when the rigid tool is in the first position; and the first end portion is encased by the rigid shell when the rigid tool is in the second position.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the rigid tool comprises metal; the rigid shell is adapted to allow the metal of the rigid tool to be connected to an antenna of the mobile phone.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: the rigid shell comprises an outer cover and an inner cover that is adapted to be disposed between the mobile phone and the rigid tool; the rigid tool is adapted to be disposed between the inner cover and the outer cover.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the outer cover comprises a top cover and a bottom cover; the top cover is adapted to connect with the bottom cover; the top cover includes groves on opposing sides of the top cover; the groves are adapted to allow two opposing edges of the inner cover to slide into the top cover along the groves.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: an inside of the top cover includes tracks; a second portion of the knob is adapted to fit within the tracks and slide along the tracks.
 15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the knob is adapted to be connected to the rigid tool, wherein: a second portion of the knob includes a notch; the inner cover includes a detent that is adapted to fit within the notch; when the detent is fit within the notch, the knob is more difficult to slide relative to when the detent is not within the notch.
 16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein: the inner cover includes one or more springs that are adapted to force the rigid tool away from the mobile phone and toward the outer cover.
 17. A case for a mobile phone, the case comprising: a rigid shell that comprises a top cover and a bottom cover; a rigid tool that includes a bottle opening end that is operable as a bottle opener; an inner cover that is adapted to (a) be disposed between the mobile phone and the rigid tool and (b) provide, to mobile phone, protection from the rigid tool when the bottle opening end is used to remove a cap from a bottle.
 18. The case of claim 17, wherein: the bottle opening end is operable as the bottle opener when the rigid tool is in a first position; the bottle opening end is encased by the top cover and the bottom cover when the rigid tool is in a second position that is different than the first position.
 19. The case of claim 17, further comprising: a knob that is connected to the rigid tool such that the rigid tool moves when the knob is moved; wherein the inner cover includes one or more tracks; wherein a portion of the knob includes a ridge that is adapted to fit between the one or more tracks.
 20. The case of claim 17, further comprising: a knob that is connected to the rigid tool such that the rigid tool moves when the knob is moved; wherein a portion of the knob includes a notch; wherein the inner cover includes a detent that is adapted to fit within the notch; wherein when the detent is within the notch, the knob is more difficult to slide relative to when the detent is not within the notch.
 21. The case of claim 20, wherein: the detent is a first detent that is located at a first position on the inner cover such that when the first detent is within the notch, the rigid tool is in a first tool position where the bottle opening end is operable as a bottle opener; the inner cover includes a second detent that is different than the first detent and that is adapted to fit with the notch; the second detent is located at a second position on the inner cover such that when the second detent is within the notch, the rigid tool is in a second tool position where the bottle opening end is not operable as a bottle opener.
 22. An apparatus comprising: a case for a mobile phone; one or more additional materials within the case that are molded into the case to form a second layer on one side of the case; a sliding rigid tool in the case; in the case, means for causing compressive force exerted from using the sliding rigid tool to be directed into the case and away from the mobile phone. 